A/N: So, how'd you guys like the little cliffhanger I left for ya? Well, get used to it, that's just how I roll. I decided, since I got almost ten reviews, the 5-review rule is back on! :) Enjoy!

Bella POV

I took off running for the beach as fast as I could, feeling tears streaking down my face. Leah was so heartless and cruel, it made me want to scream.

I flung myself down on the tree Jacob and I usually sat on, then buried my face in my arms and started to cry.

I lost track of time. Eventually, I heard footsteps on the gravel and a hand touched my shoulder blade through my sweatshirt and Jake's jacket.

"Sorry," I muttered, sitting up and wiping my eyes. "It's just so hard to—"

I broke off, my face going white. Whiter than the perfectly sculpted face with black eyes that stared back at me, framed by bronze hair. "Edward."

"Bella, why are you crying?" he asked innocently in a seductive purr.

"Edward, I—"

"Didn't you think I could make you happy enough?" he asked, a hint of anger in his voice. "Well, since you're clearly distraught, I think I'll help you out and take you out of your misery." He smiled, wider than normal, revealing all of his glistening teeth.

"Please!" I gasped, backing away. "I haven't done anything to you!"

"I know that. This isn't personal, Bella. It's just… I can't fight it anymore. Your blood is too appealing, and I intend to have it."

"But… I thought you loved me!" I cried out, stumbling backwards.

He followed at an easy pace. "I did," he said, putting slight emphasis on the past tense. "But then… Alice saw you leaving me, and then disappearing. I knew it had something to do with that dog. Rather than let him imprint on you, or whatever it is he'll do, I've decided that I'd rather drink your blood than let him. And wouldn't you know it; I already have all the resources I need." He bared his teeth again.

Jacob, please, save me! I thought, turning to run.

Edward was in front of me before I could take half a step. He put one hand on my chest and shoved.

"Oh!" I gasped out as I fell to the sand. He grabbed me and had his lips at my neck when a russet streak knocked him away from me.

I cried out as the force of the impact knocked me into the tree. I righted myself in time to see that Jacob, in his wolf form, was lunging at Edward. The rest of the pack was close behind.

Collin and Brady dove in front of me, making sure that I was protected. Faster than my eyes could track, the pack chased Edward down the beach. He was much faster than they were, and he dove into the water almost without a splash. Sam, Quil, Jared, Paul, and Embry took off into the water after him. Seth, Leah, Collin, and Brady sprinted down the shore.

Before I knew it, Jacob, in his human form, was beside me. "Oh, Bella!" he gasped, pulling me close. "Did he hurt you at all?"

I shook my head as I buried my face in his chest, my tears spilling onto his warm skin. "I was so scared!" I cried.

His strong arms held me tighter, stroking my hair, rubbing my back soothingly. "It's all right, Bella. I won't let him hurt you," he promised me, kissing my forehead. "You need to get away. We have to leave."

"Where am I going to go?" I asked him, terrified. "He knows where to find me here, at my house, even in Florida!"

"Then we won't go any of those places," Jacob said gently, looking me in the eyes. "We can go somewhere sunny, somewhere Edward would never expect you to go."

"He expects me to go somewhere sunny," I said dully. "He knows I love sunshine, and he knows he can't show himself. He'd just follow us and hurt me in the night."

"Like hell," Jacob snarled. "He'll never get anywhere near you, ever again. I won't let him."

"Then where should we go?" I asked.

"How about… New York. There's millions of people in the city; we can rent an apartment and live there."

"Yeah, but what about Charlie? Edward knows how to find me, Jake! He'll hurt someone I love! He knows how to get to me, he learned from when James was hunting me!"

"Don't worry. We'll protect Charlie. And we'll protect your mom, too," he said. "Your friends are all at college by now. He can't use them."

"You'll go with me?" she asked.

"I'd follow you to the end of the earth, Bell," he assured me.

I smiled as he kissed my cheek. "Then New York it is."